Attacks on aid workers and civilians increasing in South Sudan, UN says

File photo: Thousands of South Sudanese civilians fled an attack by armed gunmen on a displaced persons compound run by the U.N. in the town of Malakal in 2016.(AFP)

The United Nations has called for an immediate end to attacks against civilians and aid workers as conflict continues in South Sudan.

At least 82 aid workers have been reported killed, including 15 in 2017 since the outbreak of civil war in the world’s youngest nation in December 2013.

“We continue to witness increasing, deliberate and unprovoked attacks against civilians and aid workers in South Sudan. This should not be accepted as the norm,” the humanitarian co-ordinator, Serge Tissot said in a statement on the World Humanitarian Day.

The world body said attacks include the looting of warehouses and trucks and the loss of tons of food aid in deferent parts of the country. It pointed out that South Sudan has become one of the most dangerous places for aid workers to operate.

“When aid workers are endangered or under attack, millions of vulnerable people, who need food, health services, access to clean water, nutrition and education services, are deprived of the much needed help,” said Tissot.

“For us to stay and continue this selfless service to the people of South Sudan, we call upon all armed actors to stop targeting aid workers and civilians and to do everything possible to safeguard them,” he added.

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